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The proposition is two-part. First, a landscape move that gouges through the island, emulating the scars left on Country and revealing the natural seabed reminding visitors of the profane processes of land reclamation. The pavilion is a prototype of two mixed use structures for a new community, aiming to remediate some of the 350 active mine sites in Australia. Using an already altered landscape to advance mining communities into self-sustaining centres.

The Australian Pavilion - A Post Extraction Architecture

Our contemporary moment sees the world reach new peaks of material plenty. International supply chains rip through the earth to deliver us object, and architectural commodities at all cost. Australia is especially complicit, being the world’s greatest extractor of iron. The pavilion proposal positions itself as a message that Australia is a country that is reckoning with its relationship with Country.

A large excavation creates a 160 metres cut in the site. Visitors are extracted from the circulation of the Expo, led down and engulfed by the walls of earth.

A large excavation creates a 160 metres cut in the site. Visitors are extracted from the circulation of the Expo, led down and engulfed by the walls of earth.

Circulatory spaces uses volume to connect with the exterior. Tall architectural spaces melt into the depth of the pit, creating framed stills of earth and rock.

Circulatory spaces uses volume to connect with the exterior. Tall architectural spaces melt into the depth of the pit, creating framed stills of earth and rock.

The pavilions are oriented to relate to the topography of the pit. Both structures use the manufactured terrain to test out various conditions identified in the analysis of mine sites.

The pavilions are oriented to relate to the topography of the pit. Both structures use the manufactured terrain to test out various conditions identified in the analysis of mine sites.

Within the terraced landscape of the mine, the placement of built form results in a typology of piazzas and laneway. Buildings defining the negative space as much as their own.

Within the terraced landscape of the mine, the placement of built form results in a typology of piazzas and laneway. Buildings defining the negative space as much as their own.